Illuminated sign



J. P. HILL ILLUMINATED 5 IGN May Z. 1929.

Filed July 6, 1926 Patented May 7, 1929.

UNITED STATES JULIAN 1. HILL, F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.-

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

Application filed July 6,

This invention relates to an illuminated sign and is more particularly intended to be.

used in connection with street lights to indicate the names of the streets at intersections, although the same may also be used to advantage wherever a sign having informative or warning indicia is desired.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a street sign of this character which 1 has interchangeable letters, and can be sent dismantled to the authorities in charge of placing the signs, together with a su ply of letters so that they can arrange it to orm street signs suitable for their streets.

A further object is to provide such a street sign which can be quickly and conveniently assembled, and in which after the letters are assembled to give the desired indicia, the attaching means therefor can be 20 bent, twisted or crimped to secure them against displacement.

Another object is to provide a sign in which the translucent panels of glass can be readily replaced when broken without al- 2 tering the relation of the letters.

Other objects are to provide a. sign which is attractive in appearance, and durable and inexpensive of construction.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my street sign showing the preferred form of mounting the letters.

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same taken through the letter I. a

Figure 8 is a horizontal fragmentary section thereof.

Figure 4 is a'perspective view of a modified form of letter.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the preferred form of letter.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the clip used in attaching the preferred form of letter shown in Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the sign showing the manner of attachment of the preferred form of letter.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are modified forms of letters.

Figure 11 is a wire staple adapted to be used with the modified form of letter shown in Fig. 10.

In its general organization this invention comprises a plurality of frames which are adapted to be c'onnectedso as to surround the street light, each of the frames having 1926. Serial No. 120,606.

a loosely fitted glass pane against which the letters forming the indicia are held .by a threaded rod, which rod is mounted at its ends in the frame and supports each of the letters.

Each of the frame sections 10 is preferably made integrally of metal and is rectangular in shape, the upper, lower and side bars of the same having inwardly extending flanges 11, which form an open pocket in which a pane 12 of translucent, preferably milk white or opal glass is set. At each of its ends each frame has upper and lower extensions 13 which are adapted to cooperate with the corresponding extensions of the adjacent frame to form lap joints at the corners of the sign and are held together by a vertical tie bolt 14: which extends through the joint extensions as best shown in Fig. 1. Four of these frames are joined in this manner to form a square and the same is placed about a street light parallel with the thoroughfares so as to be illuminated by the light from the same in the Well known and approved manner.

The glass pane or panel 12 is held within the frame, and the letters 15 are held against the panel by a horizontal rod 16 which is arranged centrally of the frame within the pocket which receives the glass and at its opposite ends extends through the vertical end bars of the frame. This rod is threaded its entire length and is secured to the frame by nuts which are tightened against the frame.

Various forms of letters may be employed and various means may be provided for mounting these letters on the supporting rod 16. Raised metal letters are preferably employed, however, and the same are prefer- 95 ably painted or finished in a color contrasting with the milk white back-ground formed by the opal glass during the day time.

In the preferred form, shown in Figs. 1-3 and 5:7, each of the letters is provided 100 centrally with one or more pairs of. vertical slits or apertures 17 in one or more of the wide strokes of the letter. These slits receive a U-shaped clip 18, the back or crossbar of which lies within the body of the 05 letter and the legs 19 of which extend forwardly through the slits 17. Each of these legs are provided with circular holes 20 which are preferably somewhat larger than the threaded rod which penetrates the same, 1 0

' staple.

so that the letter and clip can be easily passed over the rod and be given its proper spacing without having to turn the same about the threads of the rod. The legs of the clip extend a substantial distance forwardly from the circular holes or apertures which receive the supporting rod, and after the same is properly spaced in the group of letters, this front end 21 is grasped by a pair of pliers or other suitable instrument and twisted or bent from the vertical posiroughened or irregular surface will function in the same manner as a threaded rod.

In the modified form of letter shown in Fig. 4, a single horizontal ear or wave 22 is struck up from the body of the letter after the same has been slitted thereby forming an opening 23 which is adapted to receive the threaded supporting rod. This ear can then be flattened or distorted to securely engage the rod.

In the modifications shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the ears are struck up from the body of the letter. In the form shown in Fig. 8 the ears 24 are struck upwardly and outwardly from the body of the letter leaving a void 25 in the same, and in the form shown in Fig. 9, the ears 26 are bent forwardly and inwardly from the edge of the letter.

Figs. 10 and 11 show a modified form of letter adapted to be secured by a soft wire In this form the letter is provided at each side with two pairs of vertically alining holes 27, through whichwire staples 28 are passed, their legs extending rearwardly through the letter, and the front part or bow being adapted to embrace the supporting rod. The ends or legs of the staple are then twisted as shown in Fig. 11, the twisted portion being then bent so as to lie within the body of the letter and be concealed.

As a whole this invention provides a sign which can be readily shipped to and assembled by the local authorities to suit local requirements, it is easily read and attractive in appearance, it is easily altered and its parts are readily replaced, and the letters are positively held in proper alignment and spacing.

ll claim as my invention 1. in a sign, a panel, a plurality of apertured metal letters, a U-shaped sheet metal clip engaging each of said letters and having apertured legs projecting forwardly through the apertures of said letter and a rod penetrating said apertured legs and supporting said letters against said panel, said legs extending forwardly from said rod and being adapted to be'twisted into locking engagement with said rod and thereby hold the letters against displacement.

2. In a sign, a frame, a panel mounted in said frame, a threaded rod arranged in front of said panel and mounted at its ends in said frame, nuts engaging the ends of said threaded rod and securing said rod in said frame, a plurality of letters, sheet-metal ears projecting forwardly from said letters and penetrated by saidthreaded rod, the outer ends of said ears being adapted to be twisted into locking engagement with said threaded rod to secure said letters to said threaded rod.

3. A metal letter for signs comprising a sheet metal body having its marginal portions offset to form a raised letter and the body of said letter being provided with at least two openings, a panel engaged by the offset marginal portions ,ofsaid letter, a supporting member arranged on the opposite side of said letter, and a clip for attaching said letter to said supporting member, said clip including a body portion arranged within said raised letter and projecting portions extending through said openings and secured to said supporting member.

In testimony whereof, ll hereby aflix my signature.

JULIAN P. HILL. 

